Spin or Simple IDE.
stoveitin
Posts: 11
What do people use on here to program there propellers.
Im currently starting out with a propeller one and unsure what software to start with.
There's lots of information and guides plus example software for spin. But hardly nothing for simple IDE which at first looks seem the easier one to use and most up to date.
Which one do you recommend.
Cheers.
Im currently starting out with a propeller one and unsure what software to start with.
There's lots of information and guides plus example software for spin. But hardly nothing for simple IDE which at first looks seem the easier one to use and most up to date.
Which one do you recommend.
Cheers.
Comments
First off, welcome!!
Secondly, do you have programming experience?
If you have C experience or have an interest in learning C, then the best bet might be SimpleIDE - there are great tutorials at the Parallax Learn site.
Spin and the Propeller Tool are the original native languagetool. If you are new to programming, then they might be a better start. The Propeller tool is Windows only.
It is also possible to program the Propeller in Basic (I don't have links to tool threads currently), Forth (see my signature), assembler (PASM - part or the Spin/Propeller Tool package)
Don't stress and have fun whatever you choose!!
Feel free to ask questions, the forum is very helpful and knowledgeable....and sometimes opinionated!
Welcome to the forums! Here are several options for free Propeller programming tutorials:
The Propeller C Tutorial series is written with beginning programmers in mind, targeting high school and junior college. It uses SimpleIDE and is written for the $50 Propeller Activity Board, which you can purchase alone or with the Propeller ActivityBot Kit. There are also Propeller C tutorials that use a variety of sensors and small components such as LEDs, pushbuttons, etc. The board has pre-built connections for XBee, microSD, audio jack, two LEDs, and ADC converter. Those, combined with pre-written libraries, make it fairly quick to get interesting applications up and running.
For beginning Spin programming, there is a tutorial in the Propeller Tool Help. It is written for the Propeller Demo Board which is no longer sold, but the activities could be adapted to another board. There's also the Propeller Education Kit, which was written for college level courses. It's a good choice if you like circuit-building, since it does not come with a Propeller PCB: you get the Propeller and EEPROM as DIP chips, and build the programming connections on a breadboard set. This tutorial also keeps you closer to the Propeller chip's architecture, so it is a good choice if that's where your interests are. The book is included with the kit, and it's also a free PDF download.
There are also beginner-level Spin tutorials for the Propeller Board of Education, if you prefer a pre-built option.
Of course, you can program any of these hardware options in either language, and with other options mentioned here already. Lots of choices!
I have experience in C programing and also reasonable experience in Arduino's.
I'll probably go for the simple IDE then since got experience in C.
The more examples in spin propeller tool is only what made me wonder.
Appreciate your ideas currently looking into links you lot have suggested and software.
How would you go about programing small bits of assembly in simple ide? or I this not possible.
Your C programming experience will help you (programming is programming). Once you're really familiar with the architecture, it will be easier to develop programs in C.
BTW, the same team that created SimpleIDE has created a cross-platform Spin editor called PropellerIDE. It's in development but working quite well. Like Chris, I use the Propeller Tool because I'm running on Windows. Like SimpleIDE, PropellerIDE is cross-platform.
I live and work in Hollywood, hence spend a lot of time around the entertainment industry. Here are some photos of my Propeller-powered projects
-- http://www.pinterest.com/jonmcphalen/techno-art/
Most use the HC-8+ controller that I designed for EFX-TEK. Some use custom add-ons for the QuickStart. A couple use my original Propeller Platform (designed for my Nuts & Volts column before the QuickStart was available).
Okay, there is no Propeller in the DeadMau5 helmet; just LEDs.
At EFX-TEK we use the Propeller in all of our advanced products. All are programmed in Spin with PASM (Assembly) where needed for speed.
AP-16+ audio player
AP-8+ audio player (in development)
FC-4+ AC lighting controller (pre-production)
RC-4+ relay controller (pre-production)
EZ-8+ advanced sequencer
HC-8+ controller
Last fall we demoed the HC-8+/AP-16+ combination to Legoland -- they are now using these in all of their animated displays around the world. A few weeks ago they called for a program modification. I asked when the needed it. The answer: "The truck is on the dock waiting to take the display." I was able to update the code (it was a small update) in about 15 minutes. They tested it on the dock and it worked perfectly. They called back and said, "Legoland management loves you guys."
Yes, I have a lot of experience with Spin. Still, I think anyone with some programming experience can pick it up and be immediately productive with it.
Use the GNU inline ASM syntax.
SimpleIDE also allows adding objects with PASM from .spin or GNU AS having PASM like syntax with .s, or .S files.
I still use PropellerTool when I want to look at the Propeller Manual and DataSheet ... why can't we have those links in SimpleIDE?
Remember that SimpleIDE supports C programming. That means unlike Arduino programming, #include "file.h" for using library code and forward declarations are required.